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Edited on Tue Jan-20-04 04:28 AM by IowaBiker
Kerry's taking of Iowa is not an anomoly.
After attending my caucus where 95 of 251 attendees went for Kerry, 97 for Edwards, and the remainder for Dean, a few things became clear.
After spending the evening at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, with the Kerry supporters even more became obvious.
Biggest factor was electability. Iowans were looking for somebody who can beat Bush, high attendance at the caucuses reflected a lot of anger towards Bush . Among the throngs of Kerry and Edwards supporters were moderate Republicans who are sick and tired of Bush extremism. A phrase making the rounds and may be due to replace the term "neoconservatives" was "cracker conservatives," a term that does not bode well for Edwards.
On ag issues in Iowa.
Dean saw the Iowa farm vote as monolithic, which it is not -- he stereotyped the electorate and that to me was very, very bad. It reflects a failure of his machine to read and touch voters. Edwards is a "big pork" candidate with his North Carolina ties, and connections to Smithfield. His votes for big pork lost him the endoresement of Iowa Secretary of State Patty Judge. She is a wonderful person I have spoken with regarding Iowa Pork issues, and with whom I had an opportunity to speak for 15 minutes or so at the victory celebration. John Kerry to her was the only candidate able to understand the complexity of farm economics. For you Edwards supporters, I can simplify this issue for you as being equal to Bush being for big beef or big oil -- it boils down to anti food safety and pro pollution. What is interesting is that while Kerry people were aware of this hot button, they acknowledged it but did not push it -- they eye Edwards as a running mate.
Kerry's experience and record of activism ran deep with voters. He comes across as a man who returned from 'Nam with a mission to make this country a better place. His experience fighting for what he believes is right, as opposed to Clark's new found religion, seemed to play a lot here. Kerry comes across as dedicated.
Kerry plays well when he speaks. "A bit like Kennedy." "Looks like Lincoln." "Sounds like FDR." He comes across as a leader. And as somebody who could occupy the White house as a statesman who displays a profound dignity.
My precinct is heavy professional, which skews blue collar. I saw younger voters split for Dean and Edwards. People from the Vietnam era overwhelmingly went for Kerry. And again, a lot of former Republicans who felt the party has abandoned them.
The other factor is the veteran vote. I'd dismissed it as a secondary or tertiary factor before tonight, but it is very real. It's not something you see in the numbers, but feel in a crowd. And I'm sure a lot of 50-60 somethings felt it. I missed 'nam by a couple of weeks. Tested, pre-enlisted and all but signed up with a low double-digit lottery number. I was ready to go when Nixon cancelled the draft. But I'm old enough to see the hurt and emptyness that so many vets returned home with. At a Kerry rally, that look of loss is gone. This candidate, like no other I've ever seen, gives these guys hope, and for good reason. He as fought for them ever since he got back.
After seeing John Kerry fight for this issue -- which to many politicians is a hopeless, thankless cause -- I feel comfortable in trusting him with other critical issues that other politicians may give up on.
I haven't been this excited about a candidate in a long time. He makes Bush's sissy walk on the aircraft carrier look like what it was - a sissy walk by a pretender. Kerry is the real deal. It's been a long time since I've seen that.
"Bring 'em on!" was the cry that ended the night. And what a battle cry that is.
Brian
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